WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

US President Trump’s firing on Tuesday of the FBI director drew an immediate backlash.Here is what could happen next:

AT THE WHITE HOUSE

Trump must search for a new FBI director. An announcement will not be made on Wednesday but is likely by the end of the week because Trump intends to fill the vacancy quickly

HOW DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE SPINNING IT

| Democrats quickly coalesced around a call for an independent prosecutor to take over the investigation into Russian meddling in the election, expressing distrust in the Justice Department. | As Republican lawmakers learned of the firing on Tuesday night in scattershot fashion, no unified party message emerged. Some backed Trump and expressed support for a fresh start. Others were dubious.

THE SENATE INVESTIGATION

| The Senate panel conducting its own investigation into Russian tampering in the election has faced mounting calls for an independent investigator that were, until now, largely partisan. | Even before the firing, the panel had requested records from a number of Trump’s associates to analyse their connections to Russia. Officials familiar with the investigation have said that the committee is prepared to issue subpoenas to get the records.

AT THE FBI

| This is the first time that an FBI director has been fired since 1993, when President Bill Clinton dismissed William S Sessions, saying he could no longer “effectively lead the bureau.” Until Trump appoints a new director, the deputy director, Andrew G McCabe, will oversee the FBI, including the continuing Russia investigation. | While the director is not usually involved in the day-to-day operations of the Russia investigation, whomever Trump selects as the next director will have the ability to influence the investigation by adding or pulling resources.